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Meet Capt. Cibeesh

Welcome aboard! I am Capt. Cibeesh, a seasoned mariner with a passion for the sea and a dedication to mentoring the next generation of Merchant Navy professionals. With years of experience navigating the world’s oceans and commanding state-of-the-art vessels, I’ve seen it all—from serene sunrises over calm waters to the thrilling challenges of high seas.

My Journey

My maritime adventure began at a young age, inspired by tales of explorers and the call of the ocean. I pursued my dreams with determination, earning my qualifications and climbing the ranks through sheer hard work and commitment. Over the years, I’ve held various positions, each adding to my wealth of knowledge and expertise in maritime operations, safety, and leadership.

Teaching and Mentoring

One of my greatest passions is sharing my knowledge and experiences with aspiring seafarers. Through my blogs, I offer insights, tips, and guidance to help young mariners navigate their own paths in the Merchant Navy. From practical advice on certification and training to stories from the deck, I aim to provide valuable content that can inspire and educate.

Why Follow Capt. Cibeesh?

Following my blogs means you are not just getting theoretical knowledge but also practical wisdom gleaned from years at sea. Whether you are a cadet starting your journey or an experienced officer looking for advanced tips, my content has something for everyone. I believe in continuous learning and strive to keep my content relevant and engaging for all levels of expertise.

Stay Connected

Join me on this voyage of discovery and professional growth. Let’s explore the vast opportunities and adventures that the Merchant Navy offers. For detailed information, guidance, and a community of like-minded seafarers, subscribe to my blog updates to stay informed about the latest posts and insights.

© 2024 Capt. Cibeesh. All Rights Reserved.

The War at the Strait of Hormuz – 29 days old!

Published 29 March 2026 | By Captain Cibeesh Balakrishnan ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━WHAT IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ?━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ At its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz is just 34 kilometres wide — roughly the distance from London’s City to Heathrow. Through those 34 kilometres flow two shipping lanes, each just 2 nautical miles across, separated by a 2-mile buffer…

Container Rates Extend Rally as Hormuz Crisis Drives Fuel Costs Higher

Container Freight Rates Surge Amid Global Disruptions Overview of Recent Trends In an increasingly volatile global shipping landscape, container freight rates have experienced a notable increase for the fourth consecutive week. This trend, driven primarily by escalating fuel prices and persistent disruptions in the Middle East, is exerting significant pressure on shipping markets worldwide. Drewry’s…

Container Rates Extend Rally as Hormuz Crisis Drives Fuel Costs Higher

Container Freight Rates Surge Amid Rising Fuel Costs Overview of Current Trends The global shipping industry is witnessing a significant uptick in container freight rates, marking the fourth consecutive week of increases. This surge can be attributed to a combination of escalating fuel prices and persistent logistical disruptions in the Middle East. According to recent…

Hapag-Lloyd Faces $40 Million to $50 Million Weekly Costs Due to Middle East Conflict

Hapag-Lloyd Faces Significant Costs Amid Middle East Conflict Overview of the Situation In a recent declaration, Hapag-Lloyd, the prominent German shipping firm, reported incurring substantial additional costs ranging from $40 million to $50 million on a weekly basis, attributable to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This statement was made by the company’s Chief…

Hapag-Lloyd Faces $40 Million to $50 Million Weekly Costs Due to Middle East Conflict

Hapag-Lloyd Faces Escalating Costs Amid Middle East Conflict Introduction The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is currently contending with significant operational challenges stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As articulated by the company’s Chief Executive, Rolf Habben Jansen, the financial burden posed by this situation is estimated to be between $40 million and…

Libya Secures Drifting Arctic Metagaz Tanker After Weeks Adrift in Central Mediterranean

Libyan Authorities Secure Stranded LNG Tanker in Mediterranean Introduction In a significant development within the maritime domain, Libyan authorities have successfully secured the Russian LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz, which had been adrift for several weeks in the central Mediterranean Sea. This decisive action addresses the mounting environmental and navigational hazards that the vessel posed while…

Iran Tells UN ‘Non-Hostile’ Ships Can Transit Hormuz, If They Coordinate With Tehran

Iran’s Maritime Security Guidelines in the Strait of Hormuz Overview of Iran’s Position In a recent development concerning maritime navigation, the Islamic Republic of Iran has communicated its stance to the United Nations regarding vessel transits through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. Iran has indicated that so-called "non-hostile vessels" may continue their passage through…

Bahrain Pushes UN Vote to Authorize Force in Strait of Hormuz

Bahrain Proposes Resolution for Maritime Protection in Strait of Hormuz Introduction The geopolitical landscape of the maritime industry is continually influenced by regional tensions and security challenges. The recent initiative by Bahrain to present a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, aimed at bolstering the protection of commercial shipping in the Strait of…

Trump Administration Quietly Expands Pacific Seabed Mining Area as Environmental Review Begins

U.S. Advances Offshore Mineral Leasing Near Northern Mariana Islands Introduction The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has taken significant steps towards the potential development of offshore mineral resources in the region surrounding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This initiative is poised to reshape various facets of global shipping and maritime…

Philippines Allows Use Of Dirtier Fuel Amid Middle East Crisis

Philippines Temporarily Approves Use of Cheaper Fuel Amid Challenges Introduction In a significant move to address fuel supply challenges, the Philippines has sanctioned the temporary and limited use of a less expensive yet environmentally detrimental type of fuel. This decision is largely aimed at stabilizing the local energy market amidst escalating global energy prices and…

Philippines Allows Use Of Dirtier Fuel Amid Middle East Crisis

Philippines Temporarily Approves Use of Cheaper Fuel Amid Supply Challenges Context and Background On March 22, 2023, the Philippine government announced the temporary acceptance of a less environmentally friendly fuel type within its maritime sector. This decision arises amidst a backdrop of growing challenges in maintaining fuel supply, particularly in the face of fluctuating global…

U.S.-Flagged Ships Stuck in Persian Gulf as Senator Demands Action for American Crews

US-Flagged Vessels Stranded in Persian Gulf Due to Regional Conflict Introduction The escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, heightened by the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, have wrought significant challenges on the maritime industry. With multiple U.S.-flagged commercial vessels immobilized in this strategic waterway, the situation calls into question the…

Iranian Navy Guided Indian Tanker Through Hormuz, Crew Member Says

Iranian Navy Assists Indian LPG Tanker in Key Maritime Passage Introduction In a notable maritime event, Iranian naval forces extended their support to an Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker navigating the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. This intervention highlights the increasing cooperative dynamics among regional naval forces and its implications for global shipping routes…

Fire-Damaged LNG Tanker Arctic Metagaz Could Reach Libyan Coast Within Days, Officials Warn

Drifting LNG Tanker in Mediterranean Poses Ecological Risks Overview of the Situation Recent developments in the Mediterranean Sea have raised significant concerns regarding maritime safety and environmental protection. A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, which has been adrift and unmanned for over two weeks, is now reported to be approximately four to six days…

Fire-Damaged LNG Tanker Arctic Metagaz Could Reach Libyan Coast Within Days, Officials Warn

Drifting LNG Tanker in Mediterranean Poses Ecological Threat Introduction Recent developments concerning a damaged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker drifting uncrewed in the Mediterranean have raised significant alarm within the maritime community. Having been adrift for over two weeks, the vessel is now approaching the shores of Libya, with an estimated arrival time of four…

Trump’s Greenland Hospital Ship Arrives at West Coast Shipyard as Humanitarian Mission Narrative Fades

USNS Mercy Arrives in Portland, Confirming Destination After Speculation Introduction The recent arrival of the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy in Portland, Oregon, has generated significant interest within the maritime industry, particularly as it marks a pivotal moment in maritime logistics and humanitarian response. The vessel’s deployment had been surrounded by speculation regarding a…

Tanker Markets Break Loose as Physical Barrels Vanish from Global Trade

Surging Oil Prices and Their Maritime Implications Introduction The recent escalation in oil prices in physical markets indicates a substantial shift in global energy dynamics. This surge has outpaced the significant rises observed in benchmark futures markets, compelling refiners and traders across Asia and Europe to rapidly acquire available oil supplies. The demand stems from…